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CBOE seats drawing extravagant bids

CBOE seats drawing extravagant bids

How much are fans willing to pay for season tickets at Wrigley Field? So far, bids in the first auction have ranged from $31,000 to $80,000.

The auction of Wrigley Field season tickets at cubs.com ends Thursday at 3 p.m. CT.

The partnership between the Cubs and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) includes naming rights to approximately 70 new seats at Wrigley Field, as well as presenting sponsorship of front-row tickets at the ballpark. The new seats, which are located adjacent to the Cubs dugout on the third-base line, will be known as the "CBOE Seats" and are available at auction as season tickets in groups of two or four.

According to the team, current bids range from $31,000 to $80,000 for the chance to sit next to the Cubs dugout.

"We expect a lot of bidding in the final hours," said Cubs chairman Crane Kenney. "The bidders may include businesses, groups of fans or individuals. This auction provides a new way for fans to purchase great seats and have the right to purchase the same seat to the 2008 postseason."

The season tickets will include all games for the 2008 regular season as well as the right to purchase 2008 postseason tickets if the Cubs make the playoffs.

The Cubs and CBOE also will partner on a second auction of front-row seating behind home plate. Starting March 14 and running throughout the regular season, the Cubs and CBOE will give fans the chance to sit in premier Wrigley Field seating on a single-game basis with the "CBOE Front Row Auction." Fans will bid through cubs.com on front-row seats located behind home plate and near the visitor's bullpen.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.